Legislature convenes with pomp, circumstance, serious business at hand

Updated 11:28 am, Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Texas state capitol is masked by drizzle and fog on the opening day of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Texas state capitol is masked by drizzle and fog on the opening day of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Kimberly Nemecek, with the Texas House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms office, places yellow roses on top the representatives desk before the start the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. The roses were courtesy of St. Rep. Dist. 77 Marisa Marquez. less

Kimberly Nemecek, with the Texas House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms office, places yellow roses on top the representatives desk before the start the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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District 62 St. Rep. Larry Phillips, right, shakes hands with outgoing St. Rep. Dist. 40 Aaron Pena (tilde over the n), before the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

District 62 St. Rep. Larry Phillips, right, shakes hands with outgoing St. Rep. Dist. 40 Aaron Pena (tilde over the n), before the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Rep. Joe Straus, center, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Joe Straus, center, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, kisses his wife Julie, left, after he was sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, kisses his wife Julie, left, after he was sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, ... more

Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, center, R-Waco, and Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Port Arthur, right, join with fellow representatives and family members for the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, center, R-Waco, and Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Port Arthur, right, join with fellow representatives and family members for the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening session of the 83rd ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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St. Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, kisses his wife, Cehlia Newman-Menendez, as they and their children from left, Austin, 5, Victoria Elise, 10 and Dominic Michael, 12, wait the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

St. Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, kisses his wife, Cehlia Newman-Menendez, as they and their children from left, Austin, 5, Victoria Elise, 10 and Dominic Michael, 12, wait the start of the 83rd Texas ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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State Rep. Phillip Cortez, D-San Antonio, acknowledges supporters after he and the rest of the representatives were sworn in at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

State Rep. Phillip Cortez, D-San Antonio, acknowledges supporters after he and the rest of the representatives were sworn in at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Cinco Guillen, 2, looks over at her father, Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, during the invocation at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. With them is his wife, Dalinda, (cq). On the right is Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, (tilde over n in Pena) and his son, Aren, (cq). less

Cinco Guillen, 2, looks over at her father, Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, during the invocation at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. With ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, D-Waco, places his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, D-Waco, places his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Recently elected senators, including Donna Campbell (center), take the oath of office during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Recently elected senators, including Donna Campbell (center), take the oath of office during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte is helped to the podium to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte is helped to the podium to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator leticia Van de Putte is brought down the center aisle of the Senate to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator leticia Van de Putte is brought down the center aisle of the Senate to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte acknowledges applause after being nominated for Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The Senator's mother, Belle Ortiz is at her side. less

Senator Leticia Van de Putte acknowledges applause after being nominated for Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The Senator's ... more

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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A small rally proceeds in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

A small rally proceeds in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Luis Figueroa (center), who is a legislative attorney for MALDEF, speaks at a small rally in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

Luis Figueroa (center), who is a legislative attorney for MALDEF, speaks at a small rally in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, ... more

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Rick Santorum poses for pictures on the floor of the Senate during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Senator Rick Santorum poses for pictures on the floor of the Senate during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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UTSA President Ricardo Romo on the floor of the Senate before the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

UTSA President Ricardo Romo on the floor of the Senate before the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Legislature convenes with pomp, circumstance, serious business at hand

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AUSTIN — Business mixed with pleasure Tuesday on the opening day of the 83rd Legislature, as lawmakers celebrated with family and friends, Speaker Joe Straus won another term as House leader and the debate heated up over how best to use billions more dollars put into state coffers by a rebounding economy.

“The debate's now not, 'Do we need to go spend all this money?' The debate is how's the best way to reduce the cost and effect of government on those that help create the wealth,” Gov. Rick Perry said in an interview after calling for tax relief in light of projected revenue.

Perry suggested creation of a website for Texans to weigh in on taxes and government services, conceding that “you can have every kind of crazy idea in the world that's pitched up there” but adding: “I am a great believer that all good ideas don't emanate from Austin, Texas.”

Perry and other Republicans also spoke of the need to invest in those key areas, while voicing support for conservative fiscal policies that they say have allowed the state to come back from hard times.

Citing Texas' growth, he said, “This session, we're going to be looking at solving infrastructure problems of the state for decades to come, improving public education, over time doubling our drinking water supplies, doubling our highway capacity, keeping Texas No. 1.”

Straus, R-San Antonio, won another term after Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, halted his challenge to spare his colleagues a public vote. Straus outlined a list of priorities topped by education, water development, transportation and an “honest state budget.”

He reminded a House chamber crowded with lawmakers and their supporters that Texas' rapidly growing population includes more than 5 million public school children — a number that exceeds the population of 29 states.

In a nod to the state's changing demographics, Straus noted more than 60 percent of the public school children come from low income families and nearly 1 million speak limited English.

“The education of all our students will determine whether Texas is a land of prosperity or lost opportunities,” he said.

Straus won applause for describing a broken education testing system that has upset parents and signaled the time to reform the state's school accountability system.

After education, water will likely be one of the speaker's priority issues. The current drought has cost the state's agriculture industry $8 billion alone, Straus said, and businesses wonder whether Texas will have reliable water supplies to nurture economic growth.

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“There is no single or easy answer to our water challenges. But we know a 50-year water plan without funding is not the solution,” Straus said.

The speaker avoided some of the issues pushed by Perry, including abortion and drug screening applicants for public assistance.

Speaking to reporters later, Straus emphasized that Texas' future will be defined by whether it remains a state of opportunity — and that will require better education, more jobs, reliable water and a modern road system. He calls that list “the core function of government.”

“That's my agenda. That's what I'm going to focus on,” he said.

Rep. John Zerwas, a Richmond Republican chosen by Straus to nominate him for re-election, said the speaker's agenda is doable.

“We are fortunate that we have a little extra revenue. I think we can step back and look at some of these emerging priorities,” Zerwas said, adding it's important that state leaders are acknowledging a need to address water and transportation problems.

Lawmakers convened a day after getting good fiscal news from Comptroller Susan Combs, who said a rebounding economy leaves them with an $8.8 billion balance this fiscal year and growth in the next two years.

But lawmakers also must meet demands including a $4.7 billion Medicaid IOU that lawmakers left hanging two years ago, when they faced the forecast of a massive revenue shortfall.

They also cut public education by $5.4 billion compared to previous formulas.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, a San Antonio Democrat sworn in as Senate president pro tem, called for investing in education.

“We have a duty to invest our future, in the human capital of Texas, in education for all Texans,” she said. “Education is the pathway to jobs that provides the toolkit for self-sufficiency. Education is the fuel of our economic engine.”

“Last session was rather predictable. We were going to pass voter ID and cut the budget,” Patrick said. “This session begins with less certainty but an opportunity to do big and bold things for the future of Texas — school choice and major education reform being at the top of the list.”